20 July 2000
The South African Communist Party (SACP) welcomes the decision of the British House of Lords to allow South African mineworkers and communities, suffering from asbestosis and related diseases, to claim compensation in British courts from Cape PLC.
For too long, Cape PLC mined asbestos in our country without any regard for the well-being of their workers, the environment and people+IBk-s health. At last, justified and legitimate struggles by workers and communities, consistently by the SACP, are payi ng off.
The SACP acknowledges the efforts and roles of the South African government and provincial governments of the Northern Cape and the Northern Province in supporting the case against Cape PLC.
The SACP calls on Cape PLC to negotiate with the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the affected communities to achieve fair and just compensation. Failing which, the SACP will support taking up the case through the British courts. Without prejudging any court process, the SACP calls for a fair, transparent and just process.
We can no longer allow transnational companies to exploit workers and destroy lives and the environment with impunity. Capitalist globalisation cannot go unchallenged without forcing transnational corporations to account for their actions and take due rega rd for people's lives and the environment.
CONTACT
Mazibuko K. Jara (surname Jara)
Department of Media, Information and Publicity
South African Communist Party
Tel: 27 11 339-3621/2 Fax: 27 11 339-4244
Cell: 083 651 0271 Email: sacp1@wn.apc.org